The Lost Sheep, and Christ rejoicing over the one sheep He found.
Please pray. For me, and for us as we go through the Word. Also, at this time I also appealed for all of us to pray for each other, especially since we pointed out that any attempt we make to go deeper into the Word than the normal, conventional person would place us in risk of compromise – either from within, or from the outside. This is where I pointed out the following verses:
27 And I, Daniel, was overcome and lay sick for some days. Then I rose and went about the king’s business, but I was appalled by the vision and did not understand it. Daniel 8:19-27
28 “Here is the end of the matter. As for me, Daniel, my thoughts greatly alarmed me, and my color changed, but I kept the matter in my heart.” Daniel 7:27-28
Memes and the eventual push towards AI – Indeed, in the increase of knowledge there is also an equal increase in our dependence of the One with Absolute Knowledge. Therefore, again, we Pray.
Daniel 7
Summary
Daniel’s Vision of the Four Beasts
In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon, Daniel saw a dream and visions of his head as he lay in his bed. Then he wrote down the dream and told the sum of the matter. 2 Daniel declared, “I saw in my vision by night, and behold, the four winds of heaven were stirring up the great sea. 3 And four great beasts came up out of the sea, different from one another. 4 The first was like a lion and had eagles’ wings. Then as I looked its wings were plucked off, and it was lifted up from the ground and made to stand on two feet like a man, and the mind of a man was given to it. 5 And behold, another beast, a second one, like a bear. It was raised up on one side. It had three ribs in its mouth between its teeth; and it was told, ‘Arise, devour much flesh.’ 6 After this I looked, and behold, another, like a leopard, with four wings of a bird on its back. And the beast had four heads, and dominion was given to it. 7 After this I saw in the night visions, and behold, a fourth beast, terrifying and dreadful and exceedingly strong. It had great iron teeth; it devoured and broke in pieces and stamped what was left with its feet. It was different from all the beasts that were before it, and it had ten horns. 8 I considered the horns, and behold, there came up among them another horn, a little one, before which three of the first horns were plucked up by the roots. And behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of a man, and a mouth speaking great things.Daniel 7:1-8
The Ancient of Days Reigns
11 “I looked then because of the sound of the great words that the horn was speaking. And as I looked, the beast was killed, and its body destroyed and given over to be burned with fire. 12 As for the rest of the beasts, their dominion was taken away, but their lives were prolonged for a season and a time.Daniel 7:11-12
The Son of Man Is Given Dominion (Refer to v13-14)
Daniel’s Vision Interpreted
27 And the kingdom and the dominion and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High; his kingdom shall be an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.’
28 “Here is the end of the matter. As for me, Daniel, my thoughts greatly alarmed me, and my color changed, but I kept the matter in my heart.” Daniel 7:27-28
Points:
“As I looked, thrones were placed, and the Ancient of Days took his seat; his clothing was white as snow, and the hair of his head like pure wool; his throne was fiery flames; its wheels were burning fire.
10 A stream of fire issued and came out from before him; a thousand thousands served him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him; the court sat in judgment, and the books were opened.
Daniel 7:9-10
13 “I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him.
14 And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed.
Daniel 7:13-14
- Stuff I failed to mention: Just as we saw God revealing dreams to kings in Daniel 1-2, here He reveals His own throne. Also, this fiery throne reminds us of the fiery furnace in Daniel 3, but here we see fire as God’s glory rather than persecution. It’s not the fire that we fear, but the pain and the loss.
- Just as the stone was not formed by human hands, Christ’s kingdom comes not through human power but divine authority. Like Nebuchadnezzar’s dream in Daniel 2, this shows an eternal kingdom established.
…But the saints of the Most High shall receive the kingdom and possess the kingdom forever, forever and ever.
Daniel 7:18
- Through Christ’s finished work, we become co-heirs of this kingdom
- Like Daniel’s friends in the fiery furnace, we share in Christ’s victory
- Our inheritance isn’t earned but received through faith
Daniel 7 – Conclusion: Through visions of thrones, beasts, and the Son of Man, we see that all earthly powers ultimately bow to Christ’s eternal kingdom – and through His finished work, we become co-heirs of this unshakeable kingdom.
Daniel 8
Summary
Daniel’s Vision of the Ram and the Goat (Refer to v3-4)
The Interpretation of the Vision
19 He said, “Behold, I will make known to you what shall be at the latter end of the indignation, for it refers to the appointed time of the end. 20 As for the ram that you saw with the two horns, these are the kings of Media and Persia. 21 And the goat is the king of Greece. And the great horn between his eyes is the first king. 22 As for the horn that was broken, in place of which four others arose, four kingdoms shall arise from his nation, but not with his power. 23 And at the latter end of their kingdom, when the transgressors have reached their limit, a king of bold face, one who understands riddles, shall arise. 24 His power shall be great—but not by his own power; and he shall cause fearful destruction and shall succeed in what he does, and destroy mighty men and the people who are the saints. 25 By his cunning he shall make deceit prosper under his hand, and in his own mind he shall become great. Without warning he shall destroy many. And he shall even rise up against the Prince of princes, and he shall be broken—but by no human hand. 26 The vision of the evenings and the mornings that has been told is true, but seal up the vision, for it refers to many days from now.”
27 And I, Daniel, was overcome and lay sick for some days. Then I rose and went about the king’s business, but I was appalled by the vision and did not understand it. Daniel 8:19-27
Points:
3 I raised my eyes and saw, and behold, a ram standing on the bank of the canal. It had two horns, and both horns were high, but one was higher than the other, and the higher one came up last. 4 I saw the ram charging westward and northward and southward. No beast could stand before him, and there was no one who could rescue from his power. He did as he pleased and became great.Daniel 8:3-4
13 Then I heard a holy one speaking, and another holy one said to the one who spoke, “For how long is the vision concerning the regular burnt offering, the transgression that makes desolate, and the giving over of the sanctuary and host to be trampled underfoot?”Daniel 8:1
- Connects to Belshazzar’s fall in Daniel 5 – all human power is temporary and fails. Like our study of Daniel 5-6, this reveals our desperate need for redemption.
- Points to our need for Christ’s eternal kingdom
- The question about sacrifices points to Christ’s final sacrifice. The answer comes in Christ’s finished work on the cross
Observations
“It’s akin to knowing the weather forecast; you know it will rain, but understanding when, how much, and what kind of storm prepares you better.”
Connection to Daily Life: Finally, engaging with the details helps believers connect the dots between ancient prophecy and contemporary life. It encourages a vigilant and discerning approach to living, where one looks for signs of God’s work in everyday events, not just in grand, apocalyptic finales.
Daniel 8 – Conclusion: While earthly powers rise and fall, and temple sacrifices prove insufficient, all of history points to Christ as the perfect sacrifice and ultimate victor who ends all spiritual warfare.
Daniel 7-8’s Overall Message: These chapters reveal a profound truth: human kingdoms and religious systems cannot save us. But Christ, the true Son of Man, establishes an eternal kingdom through His sacrifice, making us joint-heirs with Him.
NOTHING CAN STAND AGAINST THE POWER OF OUR GOD. – Phil Wickham, ‘Battle Belongs’
John 7
Summary
Jesus at the Feast of Booths
34 “Speak to the people of Israel, saying, On the fifteenth day of this seventh month and for seven days is the Feast of Booths to the LORD. 35 On the first day shall be a holy convocation; you shall not do any ordinary work. 36 For seven days you shall present food offerings to the LORD. On the eighth day you shall hold a holy convocation and present a food offering to the LORD. It is a solemn assembly; you shall not do any ordinary work. Leviticus 23:34-36
10 But after his brothers had gone up to the feast, then he also went up, not publicly but in private. 11 The Jews were looking for him at the feast, and saying, “Where is he?” 12 And there was much muttering about him among the people. While some said, “He is a good man,” others said, “No, he is leading the people astray.” 13 Yet for fear of the Jews no one spoke openly of him.John 7:10-13
Can This Be the Christ? (Refer to v16)
Rivers of Living Water (v37-38)
Officers Sent to Arrest Jesus, (v45-46)
Division Among The People
50 Nicodemus, who had gone to him before, and who was one of them, said to them, 51 “Does our law judge a man without first giving him a hearing and learning what he does?” 52 They replied, “Are you from Galilee too? Search and see that no prophet arises from Galilee.”John 7:50-52
Points:
16 So Jesus answered them, “My teaching is not mine, but his who sent me.John 7:16
- Jesus, like Daniel, points to divine authority rather than human wisdom
- Connects to how God revealed dreams in Daniel 1-2
- Christ is the ultimate revelation of God’s truth
37 On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. 38 Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’”John 7:37-38
- Recalls our discussion of living water in John 4 / The inner transformation theme continues from Daniel 3-4 / Christ is the source of all spiritual satisfaction
45 The officers then came to the chief priests and Pharisees, who said to them, “Why did you not bring him?” 46 The officers answered, “No one ever spoke like this man!”John 7:45-46
- Even opponents recognize Jesus’ authority, like Nebuchadnezzar with Daniel
- The Word of God continues to amaze and transform
- Christ’s words carry divine power and authority
John 7 – Conclusion:
Jesus reveals Himself as the source of all spiritual satisfaction, offering living water freely to all who thirst, while facing growing opposition from those clinging to human systems and understanding.
John 8
Summary
The Woman Caught In Adultery
I Am The Light Of The World (v12)
The Truth Shall Set You Free (v31-32)
You Are Of Your Father The Devil…
43 Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot bear to hear my word. 44 You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies. 45 But because I tell the truth, you do not believe me. 46 Which one of you convicts me of sin? If I tell the truth, why do you not believe me? 47 Whoever is of God hears the words of God. The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God.”John 8:43-47
Before Abraham Was, I Am (v56-59)
Points:
12 Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”John 8:12
- Like the writing on the wall in Daniel 5, Christ illuminates truth
- But unlike that fearful revelation, this light brings hope
- Christ’s light reveals both our sin and His salvation
31 So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:31-32
- Connects to Daniel’s faithfulness in chapter 6
- The Word of God transforms us from the inside out
- Christ’s truth sets us free
56 Your father Abraham rejoiced that he would see my day. He saw it and was glad.” 57 So the Jews said to him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?” 58 Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.” 59 So they picked up stones to throw at him, but Jesus hid himself and went out of the temple.John 8:56-59
- Jesus claims divine authority, like the Ancient of Days in Daniel 7
- This ultimate revelation caused strong reaction, like in Daniel
- Christ declares His eternal nature and authority
Observations:
John 8 – Conclusion: Christ declares His eternal divine nature (“I AM”), offering His light and truth to free us from darkness and sin – not through religious performance but through faith in His Word.
John 7-8’s Overall Message: Jesus stands as the fulfillment of all spiritual thirst and darkness, offering Himself as the eternal “I AM” who provides true freedom through faith, not religious performance.
FINAL CONCLUSION: These passages show how Christ fulfills Daniel’s visions, provides true freedom, and continues His work of inner transformation in us. Through His finished work, we receive the kingdom, experience His living water, and walk in His light.
Both Daniel and John reveal this transforming truth: While human systems, powers, and religions ultimately fail us, Christ – the eternal Son of Man and great I AM – has finished the work. Through His sacrifice, He transforms us from slaves into heirs, from thirsty to satisfied, from darkness to light. This is not achieved through our performance but received through faith in His finished work.
This message beautifully builds upon our previous studies:
- From Daniel 1-2 & John 1-2: He reveals truth we could never discover ourselves
- From Daniel 3-4 & John 3-4: He transforms us from the inside out
- From Daniel 5-6 & John 5-6: His Word shows us our need and His sufficiency
- Now in Daniel 7-8 & John 7-8: His Absolute Authority has declared complete freedom for us.
“So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” (John 8:36)
I’ll need to get stuff from this as needed, to elaborate on this coming Wednesday, and then to drive home this coming Sunday.
Until then, God bless you.
Have a good week ahead!
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